The year's first long weekend is ahead.
Whether you'll be spending it with your friends, family oralone away from home, there are certain things that are last on the list ofthings you want to worry about.
Device and data theft rates spike extremely high duringholidays when people are away from home, relaxed, and their guard is down.
Alan from Increditools, a software and technology company, shares eight top tips to keep your devices and data secure while you'retravelling this Easter.
Before you leave:
- Keep your data safe
You should periodically be backing up your important dataanyway - any storage device can be damaged or fail for other reasons. Butbefore you travel, make sure you complete a backup of the devices you areplanning to take with you (laptops, tablets, and phones). Backing up your phoneto the cloud is especially handy if it is lost or stolen while away; it is thena relatively simple process to buy a new device and have all your data back onit in no time. Although having a device stolen is a real pain, you can make itless so by saving all your precious data.
Read more | Here's how to protect your bank accounts from cybercriminals this festive season
- Make your accounts un-crackable
Make sure your passwords are not easy to guess and updateany that are too simple. There are now many services that can tell you whetheryour password data has been stolen or lost through a data leak - take time tosubscribe to such a service and change any passwords that it flags up ascompromised.
- Double your account security
Set up 2-factopr authentication for your accounts wheneverpossible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form ofverification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.
- Never forget a password
There is nothing worse than spending holiday time runningthrough endless "I forgot my password" routines. A password manager can helpyou access your online services easily when you're away. Using a passwordmanager means you can easily use very complex passwords and not have tostruggle to remember them all.
While you are away
- Protect against theft
Android and Apple devices both have facilities to track yourdevice, so make sure you use this while you are away with your phone andtablet. If your device is lost or stolen, you can remotely wipe the data andthen track its location. Wiping data is an excellent method of protection andis not a problem to recover when your device is found - provided you rememberedto backup before you left, that is.
Read more | Why schools need to up their cybersecurity game
- Encrypt your connection
Before accessing any public Wi-Fi networks, connect to a VPNto encrypt your internet connection. This prevents hackers from interceptingyour data on insecure networks.
- Avoid spying eyes
Avoid using public computers or charging stations forsensitive activities, such as online banking or accessing personal accounts.These may be compromised and could be used to easily capture your data.
- Keep quiet on your socials
Avoid posting detailed travel plans or sharing your locationin real time on social media platforms. This information can be used bycybercriminals to target you for theft or other malicious activities. By beinga little more mindful when out and about, you can have a stress-free holiday,knowing that your data and devices are safe and secure.
